Get all your information on Olivia's Galápagos Adventure Cruise.
About Our Destination
Climate
October/November is the dry season on the Galápagos Islands, as it transitions to a warmer wet season in November. The air starts getting warmer, with temperatures rising to 78°F, and the water begins to get warmer, with temperatures around 70-73°F. It is a great month to visit the islands as the Guarúa season is beginning to come to an end and the nights become warmer as well. You can expect barely any rain and not too much heat and humidity. Check www.weather.com for the most current weather.
Currency
U.S. Dollars are widely accepted. Be sure there are no tears or writing on the bills
Languages
Spanish is the main language, but English is widely spoken.
Activity Level
Activity Level
Moderate/Strenuous — This trip requires a moderate level of mobility including walking on uneven terrain, sometimes slippery, rocky, sandy beaches, gentle hiking uphill, sometimes boulders, and getting in and out of zodiacs (smaller boats) from the ship and from the beaches on shore. We do our best to assist and look after each other. It’s the nature of who we are. We do offer different levels of hikes at most stops. If hiking is too much, perhaps a zodiac ride to spot bird and water mammal life might be offered as a choice.
Wheelchairs and scooters cannot be accommodated on this ship or on shore as there are no elevators on board, and each deck is accessible by stairs only. If you have limited mobility that requires assistance to move about the ship or go on any of the excursions you decide to take, you are required to travel with someone who can assist you.
Before Your Trip
Cancellation Policy
Unexpected events can cause you to cancel your vacation. Because we are committed to this charter, we must strictly adhere to our cancellation policy as outlined in our Olivia Terms & Conditions.
Transfer funds are nonrefundable and nontransferable from the point of sale forward.
Celebrations — Birthdays, Anniversaries, Honeymoons, and more
If you will have a birthday or celebration during your vacation and have not already informed your Olivia Travel Consultant, please let us know as soon as possible, but no less than 90 days prior to the trip.
You can register at Olivia Honeymoon Wishes for your honeymoon, anniversary, or other special celebration; browse through the selections and let your friends know just how easy it is for them to purchase a gift for you.
Connect with Other Guests — Join the Facebook Group
If you'd like to chat with people who are going on the trip, join 2026 Galápagos Adventure Cruise Facebook Group.
Passport and Visa
You will need a passport that is valid for six months past the date of the trip. If you are not a US citizen, please check with both your country’s consulate and the consulates of the countries we will be visiting to make sure that you do not need an entry visa or other additional documentation.
US citizens do NOT need to get a visa ahead of time. If you are not from the US, please check with your consulate for proper visa requirements.
Specific Needs—Dietary, Medical, and Mobility
If you have any medical, mobility needs, or specific dietary requirements that you have not already advised your travel consultant, please advise us of this information as soon as possible but no less than 90 days prior to the trip. Guests with complex food allergies and/or needs can be accommodated with enough advance notice.
Travel Insurance
Olivia recommends that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your trip investment against the unexpected. Visit our Insurance page olivia.com/travel-insurance for more information.
For a travel insurance quote, more information, or to purchase a protection plan, please call Olivia at 800-631-6277 and select option 1 for a travel consultant.
Vacation Stretchers
We will offer additional hotel nights in Guayaquil at the Hotel Oro Verde before and after the trip. Please check the Vacation Stretcher Tab 6-9 months before the trip for more information.
Vaccinations
Please check with your local Public Health Department or personal physician regarding immunization requirements for all countries on your itinerary. You may also check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at: www.cdc.gov. Just click on “Traveler’s Health” followed by “Vaccinations.”
2026 GALÁPAGOS ADVENTURE CRUISE |
START DATE | END DATE | FEE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancellation 365 days or more prior to trip date | 10/22/2025 | 50% of trip cost | |
| Cancellation 0-364 days prior to trip date | 10/23/2025 | 10/22/2026 | 100% of trip cost (no refund) |
Travel & Arrival
Air Travel
Airports
You will need to fly into and out of Guayaquil, Ecuador (GYE). Most flights arrive in the evening. We encourage all guests to arrive a day early to avoid the stress of unexpected delays.
Airfare Discounts
Save up to 15% on your airfare through our partner airlines. Please visit our airfare discount page for the most up-to-date information.
Flight Arrival and Departure Times
ARRIVAL: Flights into Guayaquil can arrive any time on October 23 and hotel check-in begins at 3 pm. We always recommend arriving on earlier flights or coming in a day early to avoid the stress of unexpected delays. Olivia will offer additional hotel nights approximately 6-9 months prior to the trip for pricing.
DEPARTURE: You can leave any time in the late evening of October 31 (after 8 pm), or on November 1, 2025. A day room will be provided and is included up until the time of departure for your late-night flight October 31. An overnight room will be provided and is included if your flight departs November 1. Check out time at the hotel is 12 pm.
Please note if your flight departs late evening of November 1, you will need to check out of your hotel room by 12 pm that day. In this case, you may want to consider booking an additional night with us so you can keep your room up until your departure to the airport.
Luggage Allowances
While there is no luggage limit on the cruise itself, airlines often restrict (or charge) for excess baggage. Because each airline is different, and the regulations change over time, please check with your airline for baggage allowances.
For the included flight from Guayaquil to the Galápagos, Olivians can check one bag. If you are traveling prior to or after our trip and have an extra bag, you can leave it at the hotel in Guayaquil.
Transfers and Meeting up with Olivia
The transfer time is approximately 15-20 minutes from the airport to the hotel in Guayaquil, depending on traffic. We will provide transfers from the airport to Hotel Oro Verde for Olivians arriving in Guayaquil on October 23. We will be collecting your flight arrival itineraries to organize these transfers. We do not recommend using taxis unless arranged for by hotels.
Check-in at the Hotel Oro Verde
Our host hotel in Guayaquil is the beautiful Hotel Oro Verde. This is a newer luxury hotel that offers a variety of amenities and services, with 3 restaurants that include a fondue restaurant and “Le Gourmet”; one of the best rated restaurants in Ecuador. It also has a more casual cafeteria and bar, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center and spa, room service and much more. This is a perfect place to begin and end our trip.
We encourage all Olivians to arrive a day early to avoid the stress of unexpected delays and to enjoy all the amenities this hotel offers. Should you wish to arrive a day or two early or extend your stay, please contact us for reservations and pricing which will include your airport transfer approximately 6-9 months prior to the trip.
Getting to Your Ship
On October 24, you will be transferred in the morning after breakfast from the hotel to the airport for your flight to the Galápagos. Once we arrive in Galapagos, a bus will transfer you a short distance to the dock. Zodiacs will be waiting to transport us to the ship.
During your trip
Electricity
Ecuador and the Galápagos operate on US electrical current, 110 volts, 60 cycles.
Elevator
There is no elevator on this ship.
Expedition Tools
National Geographic Gemini carries a fleet of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, a glass-bottom Zodiac, an expanded flotilla of versatile Zodiac boats, complete snorkel gear, video microscope, and remote ocean view cameras. The marina is spacious, designed for Olivians to comfortably get in and out of expedition gear and to load the zodiacs.
Gratuities
Gratuities are included in the cost of the cruise. Gratuities are provided for your expedition leader and Naturalists, cabin steward, dining room steward, maître d’, and other behind-the-scenes crew members.
Internet
Internet access is available on board.
Laundry Services
The ship does offers laundry service and pressing. A price sheet is in your cabin. There is no self-service laundry or ironing.
Medical Services
There is a doctor with a minimal medical center on board. Your first visit is complimentary.
Money: On-Board Purchases
Upon embarkation, you will register a credit card to your shipboard account to charge premium drinks, services, etc. You will not be able to get cash advances through your credit card.
Phone
Cell phone coverage is minimal, but it is available in the more populated areas of Santa Cruz, Baltra, San Cristóbal and Puerto Arroyo. Check with your cell phone provider for international rates. Most offer the ability to use this service for $10-$12/day. Satellite phones are available on board at costs of up to $12/minute.
Public Spaces
The ship’s public spaces enhance the connection to the islands. Olivians will find an open Bridge, surrounding teak decks, two dining areas accommodate all Olivians in a single seating. The Lounge, which has a bar, is the setting for daily recaps. Other ship features include a reception area, a whirlpool hot tub, the Global Gallery, Library, Marina, and Zodiac boarding area.
Smoking Policy
The ship is completely non-smoking except for a designated area outdoors. Smoking is not permitted on the uninhabited islands. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation to stay within the designated area for everyone’s health and comfort.
Solos
We average a few solo travelers on these trips who mix and mingle with everyone. For a trip this small, there are no solo coordinators. Before the trip, you can start to meet other solo travelers online by joining Olivia's 2026 Galápagos Adventure Cruise Facebook Group.
Spa Services
Standard spa treatments such as massage are available in the LEX Spa. Pricing will be available on board.
After Your Trip
Disembarkation
We disembark at approximately 9 am for our transfer to the local Galápagos Airport. Exact flight times from Galápagos to Guayaquil will be in your final documents to be sent 30 days prior to the trip.
Hotel
We will utilize the Hotel Oro Verde in Guayaquil for our return hotel. Hotel check-in is 3 pm, and check-out is 12 pm.
Transfers to the Airport
Transfers to the Guayaquil airport will be provided for those departing the evening of October 31 after 8 pm or the following day, November 1.
Vacation Stretchers
We will offer additional hotel nights in Guayaquil at the Hotel Oro Verde after the trip. Please check the Vacation Stretcher Tab 6-9 months before the trip for more information.
This trip requires a moderate level of mobility including walking on uneven terrain, sometimes slippery, rocky, sandy beaches, gentle hiking uphill, sometimes boulders, and getting in and out of zodiacs (smaller boats) from the ship and from the beaches on shore. We do our best to assist and look after each other. It’s the nature of who we are. We do offer different levels of hikes at most stops. If hiking is too much, perhaps a zodiac ride to spot bird and water mammal life might be offered as a choice. Wheelchairs and scooters cannot be accommodated on this ship or on shore as there are no elevators on board, and each deck is accessible by stairs only. If you have limited mobility that requires assistance to move about the ship or go on any of the excursions you decide to take, you are required to travel with someone who can assist you.
Our Travel Consultants can be reached at USA or Canada: 800.631.6277 or International 415.962.5700, option 1.
